Pakistan will participate in the T20 World Cup but will not play the scheduled match against India

It said in a statement that it was awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but said “it is difficult to reconcile this position of selective participation with the basic premise of a global sporting event where all eligible teams are expected to compete on equal terms as per the event schedule.”

“Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of competitions.”

It said it “respects the roles of governments in national policy matters” but added: “This decision is not in the best interest of the global game or the best interest of fans around the world, including millions in Pakistan.”

She added that she hoped the PCB would “take into consideration the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its country” and that it “expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable solution”.

The ICC has not yet published the playing conditions for the tournament, so it is not known what punishment Pakistan may face for boycotting the game.

However, the rules of the previous tournament stated: “If a match is decided by one of the two teams conceding defeat or refusing to play, the result will be stated as a conceded match or a conceded match, as the case may be.”

Pakistan had earlier announced its lineup for the 20-team tournament, which starts on February 7, but stressed that participation is subject to government approval.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested the transfer of its fixtures from India to the other host nation, Sri Lanka.

But this call was rejected by the International Criminal Court last month, as the organization said there was “the absence of any real security threat.”

BCB then withdrew and Scotland replaced them in the tournament.

Along with India, Pakistan has been placed along with Namibia, Netherlands and the United States in Group A.

They will enter the tournament having defeated Australia by 111 runs on Sunday to complete a 3-0 sweep of the T20 series.